From the soccer field to the front office, there are a number of women who make a positive impact on an everyday basis at Sacramento Republic FC and the ones mentioned below are just some of the many female leaders within the organization.
From the soccer field to the front office, there are a number of women who make a positive impact on an everyday basis at Sacramento Republic FC and the ones mentioned below are just some of the many female leaders within the organization.
Throughout March in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Indomitable Club is highlighting local female leaders within the club as well as throughout the community. Republic FC kicked off the month with the launch of the Indomitable Women’s Network – a collective created by the staff that is focused on networking and building relationships, career development, equity and inclusion, and community outreach.
Throughout March in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Indomitable Club is highlighting local female leaders within the club as well as throughout the community. Republic FC kicked off the month with the launch of the Indomitable Women’s Network – a collective created by the staff that is focused on networking and building relationships, career development, equity and inclusion, and community outreach.
While the group continues to grow, the faces that built the foundation each have navigated a unique professional path along the way – and they have no shortage of insightful and inspiring advice for those also interested in pursuing their passions and working towards a career in the sports industry.
Anyone can get involved with the Indomitable Women’s Network and can connect with the collective by emailing IWN@https://www.sacrepublicfc.com.
While the group continues to grow, the faces that built the foundation each have navigated a unique professional path along the way – and they have no shortage of insightful and inspiring advice for those also interested in pursuing their passions and working towards a career in the sports industry.
Anyone can get involved with the Indomitable Women’s Network and can connect with the collective by emailing IWN@https://www.sacrepublicfc.com.
Betty Olmedo – Head Athletic Trainer
Betty Olmedo – Head Athletic Trainer
What guided you toward a career in professional sports?
I took my father’s advice of “if I do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” Growing up passionate about soccer, I knew that I wanted to be involved in soccer one way or another.
What guided you toward a career in professional sports?
I took my father’s advice of “if I do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” Growing up passionate about soccer, I knew that I wanted to be involved in soccer one way or another.
What would you tell other women trying to break into sports?
What would you tell other women trying to break into sports?
“A woman has to be twice as good as a man to go half as far” – F.H.
As a women athletic trainer working with professional men’s soccer, I have dealt with my share of criticism and judgment for no reason other than being a woman.
“A woman has to be twice as good as a man to go half as far” – F.H.
As a women athletic trainer working with professional men’s soccer, I have dealt with my share of criticism and judgment for no reason other than being a woman.
My advice to other women trying to break into sports is to find the courage to keep fighting for your dreams. Strive to be the best you can be because you will constantly have to prove yourself and convince others that you are not the “weaker sex”, that you have earned your spot, and that nothing was given to you.
My advice to other women trying to break into sports is to find the courage to keep fighting for your dreams. Strive to be the best you can be because you will constantly have to prove yourself and convince others that you are not the “weaker sex”, that you have earned your spot, and that nothing was given to you.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
It’s important to inspire future generations that are fighting for their dreams and pursue whatever they set their mind to.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
It’s important to inspire future generations that are fighting for their dreams and pursue whatever they set their mind to.
Allison Yee-Garcia – Vice President, Marketing
Allison Yee-Garcia – Vice President, Marketing
What drove you towards a career in the sports industry?
What drove you towards a career in the sports industry?
I’ve always been a sports fan and an athlete. I grew up playing soccer and going to any live sporting event is at the top of my list of things I like to do for fun. The emotions that come with being a sports fan are so unique, as a marketer, there is nothing I love more than helping to develop, grow and deliver on the emotions of a fandom.
I’ve always been a sports fan and an athlete. I grew up playing soccer and going to any live sporting event is at the top of my list of things I like to do for fun. The emotions that come with being a sports fan are so unique, as a marketer, there is nothing I love more than helping to develop, grow and deliver on the emotions of a fandom.
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
Being a part of the rebranding of the Sacramento Kings and driving the launch of that new brand was one of the most amazing experiences of my career in sports to date.
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
Being a part of the rebranding of the Sacramento Kings and driving the launch of that new brand was one of the most amazing experiences of my career in sports to date.
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
Watching fans react to something that I’ve played a part in building is any amazing feeling. Whether it’s celebrating a special moment for the club or losing their minds over an incredible game winning goal, there’s nothing like watching thousands of people celebrate all at once and knowing that I, in some small way, helped it happen.
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
Watching fans react to something that I’ve played a part in building is any amazing feeling. Whether it’s celebrating a special moment for the club or losing their minds over an incredible game winning goal, there’s nothing like watching thousands of people celebrate all at once and knowing that I, in some small way, helped it happen.
Sarah Schubert – Controller
Sarah Schubert – Controller
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Be supportive of your colleagues, especially other women. Avoid the temptation to gossip, and instead provide constructive criticism and speak words of encouragement. Don’t spend your energy trying to compete with those around you. Hold yourself to a high standard and your character and work will be recognized and valued.
Be supportive of your colleagues, especially other women. Avoid the temptation to gossip, and instead provide constructive criticism and speak words of encouragement. Don’t spend your energy trying to compete with those around you. Hold yourself to a high standard and your character and work will be recognized and valued.
What drove you towards a career in the sports industry?
My husband is a big soccer fan and we had been SRFC season ticket holders since 2015. I hadn’t previously considered a career in sports but jumped at the opportunity to work for our favorite team!
Which women have mentored you along your journey?
One of the partners at the CPA firm where I used to work. She is a smart, confident woman who sets ambitious goals for herself and works hard to achieve them. I worked for her for 10 years and I am grateful for the faith she placed in me early in my career.
What drove you towards a career in the sports industry?
My husband is a big soccer fan and we had been SRFC season ticket holders since 2015. I hadn’t previously considered a career in sports but jumped at the opportunity to work for our favorite team!
Which women have mentored you along your journey?
One of the partners at the CPA firm where I used to work. She is a smart, confident woman who sets ambitious goals for herself and works hard to achieve them. I worked for her for 10 years and I am grateful for the faith she placed in me early in my career.
Taylor Soares – Marketing Coordinator
Taylor Soares – Marketing Coordinator
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Always say yes to things that scare the crap out of you. You’ll thank yourself later. It’s so important to venture out of your comfort zone and expand your professional skillset.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Always say yes to things that scare the crap out of you. You’ll thank yourself later. It’s so important to venture out of your comfort zone and expand your professional skillset.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I am still early on in my career, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized that things don’t always go according to plan and that’s okay. I’ve always had a plan and it took the plan being changed several times for me to realize that everything happens for a reason. Everyday you’re working towards a goal and it doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you take on each day with intention and confidence.
I am still early on in my career, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized that things don’t always go according to plan and that’s okay. I’ve always had a plan and it took the plan being changed several times for me to realize that everything happens for a reason. Everyday you’re working towards a goal and it doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you take on each day with intention and confidence.
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
The sports industry attracts individuals all over the world and it is different than anything you’ll ever see. Not only do professional athletes have the ability to use sports as a platform for change –but the organization has the opportunity to do so as well. It’s rewarding to know that every day I show up to work I can work towards making a difference in our community and beyond.
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
The sports industry attracts individuals all over the world and it is different than anything you’ll ever see. Not only do professional athletes have the ability to use sports as a platform for change –but the organization has the opportunity to do so as well. It’s rewarding to know that every day I show up to work I can work towards making a difference in our community and beyond.
Grace Ogata-Beutler – Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Grace Ogata-Beutler – Executive Assistant & Office Manager
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
Definitely helping to plan events surrounding our first MLS announcement in 2019. As a born and raised Sacramentan, I was so proud to be a part of that historic day. I can’t wait to do something bigger and better—hopefully not too far in the future.
Definitely helping to plan events surrounding our first MLS announcement in 2019. As a born and raised Sacramentan, I was so proud to be a part of that historic day. I can’t wait to do something bigger and better—hopefully not too far in the future.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
There are so many different ways to get into the sports industry. Identify your passions and talents, and you’ll find there are a lot of opportunities for you. Find an organization whose mission and values you believe in — that makes all the difference.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
There are so many different ways to get into the sports industry. Identify your passions and talents, and you’ll find there are a lot of opportunities for you. Find an organization whose mission and values you believe in — that makes all the difference.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
Not only does it give us the chance to celebrate each other, but it also gives us an opportunity to highlight some of the issues and challenges that women face, professionally and personally.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
Not only does it give us the chance to celebrate each other, but it also gives us an opportunity to highlight some of the issues and challenges that women face, professionally and personally.
Marlo Gray – Staff Accountant
Marlo Gray – Staff Accountant
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
The friendships and moments. Even with the ups and downs our club has had, what stands out more is the good times we’ve had and the bond we share.
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
The friendships and moments. Even with the ups and downs our club has had, what stands out more is the good times we’ve had and the bond we share.
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
Not a moment, but our commitment to the Sacramento community. When we hear of someone in need; whether it is seniors who can’t grocery shop because of Covid, families who lost their homes to wildfires, or kids lacking winter clothes and school supplies, the club springs to action. Every staff member wants to help. It really is important to us.
Not a moment, but our commitment to the Sacramento community. When we hear of someone in need; whether it is seniors who can’t grocery shop because of Covid, families who lost their homes to wildfires, or kids lacking winter clothes and school supplies, the club springs to action. Every staff member wants to help. It really is important to us.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Working in sports is not glamorous. Be prepared for a lot of hard work, working on the weekends, and sacrifice. Working in a male-dominated field can be very frustrating at times, so form a girl-gang who has your back and you can conspire to take over the sports world with.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Working in sports is not glamorous. Be prepared for a lot of hard work, working on the weekends, and sacrifice. Working in a male-dominated field can be very frustrating at times, so form a girl-gang who has your back and you can conspire to take over the sports world with.
Sara Molina – Senior Creative Manager
Sara Molina – Senior Creative Manager
What the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are today?
What the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are today?
Being a female in a male dominated career, within a male dominated industry has had plenty of challenges I’ve had to overcome and continue to fight. I’ve just always believed in myself and stuck with what I do best… outwork the next person, let my passion show through my work, and speak up.
Being a female in a male dominated career, within a male dominated industry has had plenty of challenges I’ve had to overcome and continue to fight. I’ve just always believed in myself and stuck with what I do best… outwork the next person, let my passion show through my work, and speak up.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Believe in yourself even through the rough times when self-doubt creeps up. And always push the limit and get out of your comfort zone.
What drove you towards a career in the sports industry?
I grew up loving sports! All I did was play soccer, skateboard, and make art. I think I just got lucky in college seeing an internship opening for the Sacramento Kings as a design intern and went for it. I had no clue what a designer in the sports industry meant, but I instantly fell in love with the chaos.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Believe in yourself even through the rough times when self-doubt creeps up. And always push the limit and get out of your comfort zone.
What drove you towards a career in the sports industry?
I grew up loving sports! All I did was play soccer, skateboard, and make art. I think I just got lucky in college seeing an internship opening for the Sacramento Kings as a design intern and went for it. I had no clue what a designer in the sports industry meant, but I instantly fell in love with the chaos.
Kim Bare – Partner Business Manager
Kim Bare – Partner Business Manager
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
What is your proudest moment while working in sports?
The thing I am most proud of has been working with my partners to create impactful community programs like the Republic FC Kickstart program with Suncrest Bank. I grew up in a household that relied on a small business as part of the income and I take pride in working on a program that gives back to minority-owned and other diverse small businesses in the community.
The thing I am most proud of has been working with my partners to create impactful community programs like the Republic FC Kickstart program with Suncrest Bank. I grew up in a household that relied on a small business as part of the income and I take pride in working on a program that gives back to minority-owned and other diverse small businesses in the community.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Ask questions, inquire, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Do research and be confident in yourself. It will show! Most importantly make connections with people in the industry and learn from them.
What advice do you have for women and girls who dream of being in your shoes?
Ask questions, inquire, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Do research and be confident in yourself. It will show! Most importantly make connections with people in the industry and learn from them.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
Women have so much to offer. Women have different experiences and different ways of working through things and look at things from different angles. Different perspectives provide new insight and a better way to connect to more people. Everyone has their own talents but what women are capable of and can overcome is incredible and can be translated in so many different ways to whatever job they hold.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
Women have so much to offer. Women have different experiences and different ways of working through things and look at things from different angles. Different perspectives provide new insight and a better way to connect to more people. Everyone has their own talents but what women are capable of and can overcome is incredible and can be translated in so many different ways to whatever job they hold.
Wendy Kosterman – Merchandise Manager
Wendy Kosterman – Merchandise Manager
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
What is the most rewarding part of working in sports?
The fans, their excitement, their appreciation, their support, and their commitment to our team, the sport, and to our city makes every moment worth it. Working as part of the retail experience I get to meet our most avid season ticket member’s and our first-time fans. No matter who it is, my interaction with them makes my day.
The fans, their excitement, their appreciation, their support, and their commitment to our team, the sport, and to our city makes every moment worth it. Working as part of the retail experience I get to meet our most avid season ticket member’s and our first-time fans. No matter who it is, my interaction with them makes my day.
What the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are today?
Silencing my own self-doubt and the fear of failing. It’s taken me a while to figure out that failing is part of life and your greatest opportunity to learn. Without failure there’s no success.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
Women have a tendency to be self-deprecating and we tend to downplay our own accomplishments. We think acknowledging that we are good at something is boasting or bragging. We need to start by learning to celebrate ourselves, accept the compliments when they come and realize that we are deserving of them because we are good at what we do.
What the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are today?
Silencing my own self-doubt and the fear of failing. It’s taken me a while to figure out that failing is part of life and your greatest opportunity to learn. Without failure there’s no success.
Why is it important to recognize and celebrate women?
Women have a tendency to be self-deprecating and we tend to downplay our own accomplishments. We think acknowledging that we are good at something is boasting or bragging. We need to start by learning to celebrate ourselves, accept the compliments when they come and realize that we are deserving of them because we are good at what we do.
